The Indians, who are 18-7 overall and 6-0 in district, make their next challenge the Rangers in Greenwood at 6:30 tonight in the battle to claim the district title.
“It seems like the game will be really crucial in the sense that it is an opportunity to play a good team at their place with an outright district championship on the line,” Coach Paul Page said. “This makes for a great opponent.”
The Rangers are 22-8 overall and 5-1 in district.
“This game is technically the district championship game,” guard senior Ryan Johnson said. “If we win, we will clench the district title. If we don’t win, we will more than likely get second place.”
Guard freshman Sabraun Adams expects the game to be tense.
“The Greenwood game is going to be very intense, and the crowd is going to get into this game,” Adams said. “I think this game will be very crucial.”
Any Indian/Ranger game comes with a certain antagonism.
“It will be a big game in the sense that there is somewhat of a rivalry,” Page said. “The game was such a close one when we played them the first time. Both teams know each other, and it makes for some competition.”
Greenwood has strong points and vulnerability.
“They are very deep, and their guards are good,” Page said. “They are athletic and have good basketball IQ, but they lack experience as a group. They started the season with lack of experience, but by this time of the year, I think they have eliminated that factor.”
The final score in the game tonight will determine the setup in the playoffs.
“If we beat Greenwood, we will meet Estacado before the regional tournament,” Johnson said. “If we don’t win, we will meet them in the regional tournament.”
The Indians won their last two district games with a combined margin of eight points.
“The fact that the games have been so close just means people are starting to realize that we are good,” Johnson said. “They have to bring their best game when they play us.”
Page said it’s hard to beat a team more than once.
“The games being so close is just district,” Page said. “Anytime you play someone once and beat them, you should expect a different outcome next time. The teams we have been playing have shot really well, and it’s what teams have to do to get past our zone defense.”
The Indians beat the Mustangs 71-68 on Tuesday night with the Mustangs hitting 11 three-point shots.
“We have some momentum coming from the win against Andrews,” Page said. “Also we have an overall mentality of winning.”
Johnson said the Indians have the upper hand against the Rangers even on the Greenwood court.
“I think we will win,” Johnson said. “We have already proven we are a better team; it will just be a different atmosphere.”
The Indians are hoping for a third district championship in a row and their 27th straight district win.
“We are just excited to have the opportunity to win the district championship,” Page said. “It is great for our program, and we want to continue on.”